Expanded vocabulary and correct spelling allow for more fluent reading and writing thus speeding up the ability to comprehend what is read and get thinking down on the paper.
There are many ideas that can be implemented to have students 'play' with words:
Make words with magnetic letters
Make words with Scrabble letters (and add up the points you have scored)
Create words by playing Boggle, Scrabble etc
Write words on a personal magnetic board or chalkboard
Rainbow writing - write letters or letter patterns in different colours e.g. beach
There are many ideas that can be implemented to have students 'play' with words: